Indonesia School Collapse: 91 Students Missing, 3 Dead in East Java

Indonesian rescue workers are frantically searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java. The catastrophic collapse occurred on Monday during afternoon prayers at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school, leaving at least 91 students unaccounted for, three confirmed dead, and approximately 100 injured. The century-old institution was undergoing an unauthorized expansion, adding two additional floors, which authorities believe caused the structure to give way under the weight of new concrete.

The collapse happened around 2:30 p.m. in the school’s prayer hall, where hundreds of students, primarily boys aged 12 to 18 in grades seven to 12, were gathered. Female students, praying in a separate section of the building, were able to escape unharmed, according to survivors. The prayer hall, originally two stories high, buckled during the construction process, sending massive slabs of concrete and steel crashing down on those below.

Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, emphasized the urgency of the operation. “We are working around the clock to save lives,” he said at a press conference. “The first 24 hours are critical, and every moment counts as we try to reach those still alive.” Rescue teams have detected signs of life from at least six children trapped beneath the debris, but the unstable wreckage complicates efforts. Heavy machinery is on standby, but workers are relying on hand tools and hammers to carefully chip away at the rubble, fearing further collapse.

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Of the roughly 100 injured, 26 remain in hospitals, many with severe head injuries and broken bones. Rescuers have been sliding oxygen, water, and food through narrow gaps to sustain those trapped. Advanced technology, including thermal drones and life-detection devices, is being deployed to locate survivors in the chaotic maze of concrete and steel.

The disaster has raised serious questions about the safety of the construction work. Authorities confirmed the expansion lacked proper permits, and the building’s aging foundation was ill-equipped to support the additional floors. “This tragedy could have been prevented with proper oversight,” said Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, who uses a single name, as is common in Indonesia. Initial reports estimated 38 missing, but after cross-referencing attendance records and consulting families, the number was revised to 91, highlighting the scale of the crisis.

Rescue workers, wearing hard hats and navigating treacherous passages, remain determined despite the challenges. “We won’t stop until we’ve done everything we can,” one rescuer said, his face covered in dust. Families of the missing students have gathered near the site, clinging to hope as the hours tick by.

The collapse at Al Khoziny is a stark reminder of the risks posed by unregulated construction in Indonesia, where aging infrastructure and lax enforcement often lead to preventable disasters. As the rescue operation continues, the nation watches anxiously, praying for miracles amidst the rubble.

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